Alocasia plant named ‘ALO1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Alocasia  cultivar named ‘ALO1’ is disclosed, characterized by dark green, glossy, sagittate foliage with silver shadowing, and contrasting light pink petioles with distinctive decorative streaks. Plants are vigorous, very easy to grow under low and high light conditions and well as low and high temperature conditions. The new variety is commercially suitable for six inch pot production from a single tissue culture micro plantlet. The new variety is an  Alocasia , typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Alocasia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘ALO1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. Theobjectives of the planned breeding program were to develop new Alocasiavarieties of small to medium size, with rapid, vigorous growth, earlyand strong basal branching as well as columnar growth, suitable for 6-8inch commercial pot production. The inventor additionally sought newvarieties with interestingly ornamental foliage, and colorful, stronglycontrasting leaf peduncles. The new variety originated from a crosspollination of an unpatented seed parent referred to as ‘Aurora’ and thepollen parent, an unpatented, unnamed, proprietary variety of Alocasialowii. The crossing was made during May of 2007.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Marian Osiecki, acitizen of the US, in October of 2008 in a group of seedlings resultingfrom the crossing. The new cultivar was found in a commercial greenhousein Altha, Fla.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘ALO1’ was first performed at acommercial laboratory in Altha, Fla. by tissue culture on Mar. 3, 2009.Subsequent propagation by tissue culture has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ALO1’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ALO1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ALO1’ as a new and distinct Alocasia cultivar:

-   -   1. Very vigorous and fast growing.    -   2. Abundant and very early production of basal shoots.    -   3. Symmetrical, upright and columnar growth habit.    -   4. Dark green, glossy foliage.    -   5. Thick, sagittate leaf blades.    -   6. Veins with broad silver shadowing.    -   7. Attractive, light pink petioles with brown or green streaks.    -   8. Very easy to grow under low and high light levels as well in        low and high temperatures.    -   9. ‘ALO1’ is suitable for production in 6-8″ pots from a single        tissue culture plantlet.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ALO1’ are similar to the unpatented seedparent ‘Aurora’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new varietyhowever differs in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘ALO1’ is more vigorous, more compact than ‘Aurora’.    -   2. ‘ALO1’ is a smaller plant, 35-40 cm tall in a 6″ pot, whereas        ‘Aurora’ is 50-60 cm tall.    -   3. ‘ALO1’ is a more symmetrical and narrower plant, 23 cm in        diameter in a 6″ pot whereas ‘Aurora’ is 30 cm in diameter.    -   4. ‘ALO1’ is fuller, less spread and less open compared to        ‘Aurora’.    -   5. ‘ALO1’ has a columnar growth form whereas is ‘Aurora’ has a        more outwardly spreading growth.    -   6. The leaf blades of ‘ALO1’ are smaller, darker, thicker and        glossier than the leaf blades of ‘Aurora’.    -   7. Leaf veins of ‘ALO1’ have a darker and broader silver shadow        than ‘Aurora’.    -   8. The lower side of ‘ALO1’ leaf blade is light burgundy and        glossy whereas the lower side of ‘Aurora’ leaf blade is green        and matte.    -   9. Leaf petioles of ‘ALO1’ are thicker, stronger and shorter        compared to leaf petioles of ‘Aurora’.    -   10. Leaf petioles of ‘ALO1’ are light pink-green color with well        marked brown green streaks whereas the leaf petioles of ‘Aurora’        are pink with very insignificant green streaks.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ALO1’ are similar to the pollen parent, anunpatented, unnamed, proprietary variety of Alocasia lowii, in mosthorticultural characteristics. The new variety however differs in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘ALO1’ is a smaller and more compact plant, 35-40 cm tall in        a 6″ pot, whereas A. lowii is 60-70 cm tall.    -   2. ‘ALO1’ branches earlier and more abundantly than A. lowii.    -   3. Plants of ‘ALO1’ are more symmetrical and narrower in        diameter compared to A. lowii.    -   4. Plants of ‘ALO1’ are fuller and more upright than the        sparser, very open form of A. lowii.    -   5. The leaf blades of ‘ALO1’ are much smaller than leaf blades        of A. lowii.    -   6. The leaf blades of ‘ALO1’ have less silver color between        veins compared to A. lowii.    -   7. Leaf petioles of ‘ALO1’ are shorter and stronger than leaf        petioles of A. lowii.    -   8. ‘ALO1’ has light pink-green leaf petioles with well marked        brown-green streaks whereas A. lowii has light green to green        leaf petioles with green-brown streaks.    -   9. ‘ALO1’ has more and smaller leaves compared to A. lowii which        has fewer and much bigger leaves.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘ALO1’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Alocasia‘Polly’. Plants of ‘Polly’ are similar to plants of ‘ALO1’ in mosthorticultural characteristics. However ‘ALO1’ differs from ‘Polly’ inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘ALO1’ is a more vigorous, taller and faster growing plant        than ‘Polly’.    -   2. ‘ALO1’ is a fuller plant, branches much earlier and more        abundantly compared to ‘Polly’.    -   3. ‘ALO1’ is less spread and less open, more columnar compared        to ‘Polly’.    -   4. Leaf blades of ‘ALO1’ are wider with lighter green color        compared to narrower and darker leaves of ‘Polly’.    -   5. The lower side of ‘ALO1’ leaf blade is light burgundy whereas        the lower side of ‘Polly’ leaf blade is darker burgundy.    -   6. The leaf margins of ‘ALO1’ are green and smooth (entire)        whereas the leaf margins of ‘Polly’ are silver and lobed.    -   7. ‘ALO1’ leaf petioles are light pink-green with well marked        brown-green streaks whereas ‘Polly’ leaf petioles are light        green to green color with a few very light green streaks.    -   8. Leaves of ‘ALO1’ are oriented more horizontal compared to        more downwardly nodding leaves of ‘Polly’.    -   9. ‘ALO1’ is more tolerant to disease and stress conditions than        ‘Polly’.

‘ALO1’ can be compared to the unpatented species Alocasia amazonica.Plants of Alocasia amazonica are similar to plants of ‘ALO1’ in mosthorticultural characteristics. However ‘ALO1’ differs from Alocasiaamazonica in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘ALO1’ is a more vigorous and faster growing plant than A.        amazonica.    -   2. ‘ALO1’ is a fuller plant, branches much earlier and more        abundant compared to A. amazonica.    -   3. Plants of ‘ALO1’ are shorter, less spreading, less open and        more columnar compared to A. amazonica.    -   4. Mature leaf blades of ‘ALO1’ are shorter and lighter green        color compared to the longer and darker leaf blades of A.        amazonica.    -   5. The lower side of leaf blade of ‘ALO1’ is light burgundy        whereas the lower side of A. amazonica is dark burgundy.    -   6. The leaf margins of ‘ALO1’ are green and smooth(entire)        whereas the leaf margins of A. amazonica are sliver and lobed.    -   7. Leaf petioles of ‘ALO1’ are light pink-green with well marked        brown and green streaks whereas the leaf petioles of A.        amazonica are light green to green color without visible        streaks.    -   8. Leaves of ‘ALO1’ have a more horizontal orientation, compared        to the downwardly nodding foliage of A. amazonica.    -   9. ‘ALO1’ is more tolerant to disease and stress conditions        than A. amazonica.

‘ALO1’ can be compared to the commercial variety Alocasia ‘ALO4’application Ser. No. 13/986,605. Plants of ‘ALO4’ are similar to plantsof ‘ALO1’ in most horticultural characteristics. However ‘ALO1’ differsfrom ‘ALO4’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘ALO1’ are taller and wider than plants of ‘ALO4’.        Typically plants of ‘ALO1’ grow to 65 cm in height and 65 cm in        width, whereas similar aged plants of ‘ALO4’ are 48 cm tall and        42 cm wide.    -   2. Foliage of ‘ALO1’ is wider, typically having a range from 14        to 19.5 cm compared to a typical width of 11 to 14 cm for        ‘ALO4’.    -   3. The varieties differ in foliage coloration: Mature foliage        coloration of ‘ALO1’ as follows: Mature foliage upper side: Near        RHS Green139A, but darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS        Greyed-Purple N186C. Compared to mature foliage of ‘ALO4’:        Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Green N189A. RHS        Greyed-Green 188C flushing around veins. Mature foliage under        side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186B.    -   4. Petioles of ‘ALO1’ are colored primarily Greyed-Red; petioles        of ‘ALO4’ are colored primarily Greyed-Purple.

‘ALO1’ can be compared to the commercial variety Alocasia ‘ALO5’application Ser. No. 13/986,604. Plants of ‘ALO5’ are similar to plantsof ‘ALO1’ in most horticultural characteristics. However ‘ALO1’ differsfrom ‘ALO5’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘ALO1’ are taller wider than plants of ‘ALO5’.        Typically plants of ‘ALO1’ grow to 65 cm in height, whereas        similar aged plants of ‘ALO5’ are 45 cm tall.    -   2. The leaf blade of ‘ALO1’ is shorter, typically having a range        from 28 to 35 cm compared to a typical leaf blade length of 40        to 50 cm for ‘ALO5’.    -   3. The varieties differ in foliage coloration: Mature foliage        coloration of ‘ALO1’ as follows: Mature foliage upper side: Near        RHS Green139A, but darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS        Greyed-Purple N186C. Compared to mature foliage of ‘ALO5’:        Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Green N189A. Slightly        flushing RHS Greyed-Green 190C around veins. Mature foliage        under side: Near RHS Green 143A, heavily flushed over nearly        entire surface RHS Greyed-Purple N186C. Margin RHS Green 143A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘ALO1’ grown in a greenhouse in Altha, Fla. This plantis approximately 9 months old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph wastaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘ALO1’ plants grown in a climate controlledgreenhouse in Altha, Fla., USA. Temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 25°C. at night to 25° C. to 32° C. during the day. No artificial light,photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Plants were grown in80% shade, resulting in approximately 800 to 1200 foot candles of light.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Alocasia hybrid ‘ALO1’.

PROPAGATION

-   Root description: Thick, fleshy roots. True rhizomes not observed.    Roots approximately 0.5 cm thick, colored near RHS White 155A.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Rapid, upright. Basal leaves emerge in clumps.-   Plant shape: Upright, petioles and leaves slightly arching out. No    stems.-   Height: Approximately 65 cm to top of foliar plane.-   Plant spread: Approximately 65 cm in a 6 inch pot.-   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch.-   Growth rate: Rapid and vigorous.-   Branching characteristics: No true branching. Leaves emerge direct    from base of plant.-   Number of clumps of leaves: 8.-   Number of leaves per clump: Average 4 to 8.-   Number of leaves per plant: Approximately 40 to 50.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single leaves emerging basally.        -   Largest, mature, fully expanded leaf.—Length (excluding            petiole): Range from 28 to 35 cm. Width: Range from 14 to            19.5 cm. Shape of blade: Sagittate, with two very deep            lobes. Aspect: Slightly undulating, mainly flat. Apex:            Apiculate. Base: Cordate, with 2 very deep lobes. Margin:            Entire. Appearance: Glossy. Young foliage upper surface            glossy. Texture of top surface: Smooth. Texture of bottom            surface: Smooth. Color: Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS            Green139A, but darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS            Greyed-Purple N186C.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—Pinnate.        -   Venation coloration upper side.—Near RHS Green Greyed-Green            191D. Center most vein, just above petiole attachment RHS            Green 137D.        -   Venation coloration under side.—Near RHS Green 138A.            Outermost veins near margins near RHS Greyed-Purple N186C.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Approximate range between 45 and 57 cm.        -   Width.—At base: Approximately 1.6 cm. At leaf attachment:            Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 181D, heavily covered in short            stripes near RHS Brown 200A and Yellow-Green 147A. Near leaf            attachment, color changes to RHS Yellow-Green 145C, with            stripes becoming less frequent, then absent approximately 1            cm from attachment point.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Other.—Reduced sheath irregularly present.-   Petiole sheath:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 5.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3.6 cm.        -   Shape.—Deltoid.        -   Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown N199D.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, and papery.-   Immature foliage:    -   -   Length (excluding petiole).—Range from 10 to 16 cm.        -   Width.—Range from 6 to 9 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Cordate, with two very deep lobes, youngest            leaves less deeply lobed.        -   Aspect.—Slightly undulating, mainly flat.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Cordate, with 2 very deep lobes.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Appearance.—Young foliage upper surface glossy, lower            surface somewhat glossy.        -   Texture of lop surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green139A, apex            near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS            Green 137B.-   Immature foliage venation:    -   -   Type.—Pinnate.        -   Venation coloration upper side.—Near RHS Green Greyed-Green            192B.        -   Venation coloration under side.—Near RHS Green 138A.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Greater resistance than typical of Alocasia to    Myrothecium and leaf Phytophthora has been observed.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: The new cultivar is a typical    Alocasia, cold tolerant to approximately 5° to 7° C. and does not    tolerate drought.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Alocasia plantnamed ‘ALO1’ as herein illustrated and described.